During times of crisis, such as wars, natural disasters, economic instability, health emergencies, political upheaval, etc., people tend to seek comfort from their religious leaders for guidance and support. In response to this need, religious leaders often use their authority and influence to promote and enforce specific values that they deem important, including those related to sexual morality. This can take many forms, but one of the most common is to encourage abstinence from all sexual activity outside of marriage or within it for those who are unmarried. They may also emphasize the importance of fidelity within marriage and discourage adultery, promiscuity, pornography, and homosexuality.
The motivation behind this approach is often rooted in the belief that moral behavior will protect individuals and society from the negative consequences of immoral actions, such as disease, unwanted pregnancy, and social chaos.
Many religions view sex as sacred and believe that it should be reserved exclusively for procreative purposes within a committed relationship between husband and wife. This means that even married couples may be urged to limit their intimacy during difficult times in order to focus on survival and stability.
Some argue that these strict standards can do more harm than good by creating a culture of shame and stigma around sex, which can lead to increased risky behaviors such as extramarital affairs and unsafe sex practices. Others point out that religious leaders themselves have been known to engage in sexual misconduct, making them hypocritical when lecturing others about sexual morality. Nevertheless, there is evidence that religious leaders' efforts to regulate sexual behavior can play an important role in maintaining order and stability in crisis situations.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many religious leaders encouraged their followers to practice social distancing and avoid sexual contact with anyone other than their spouse in order to prevent the spread of the virus.